Investigating the effects of pesticide exposure on autism risk using prairie voles
Official title: Developmental pyrethroid exposure in the prairie vole as a model of environmental risk for autism
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-11050165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being around certain pesticides while growing up might affect the chances of developing autism and other learning challenges in kids, using prairie voles to help understand the potential risks for humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $605,550 |
| NIH project number | 1R01ES036248-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals or families with children under 11 years old who may have been exposed to pyrethroid pesticides.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not have children under 11 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how exposure to pyrethroid pesticides during development may influence the risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Using prairie voles as a model, the study aims to determine the maximum safe levels of pesticide exposure and its impact on behavior and biological markers. The prairie voles are chosen for their unique social behaviors and their relevance to human environmental exposure, allowing researchers to draw parallels to human health outcomes. The findings could lead to a better understanding of environmental risks associated with autism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved guidelines for pesticide exposure during pregnancy, potentially reducing the risk of autism in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated potential links between pesticide exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burkett, James — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Burkett, James
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.